Title

New iPad owner with lots of questions

Post

I have been using FM Go on my iphone, and have FM Pro 11 on my Macbook Air. I just bought an iPad solely for the purposes of having a tablet-sized version of my database. I can click the "2x" button and get it to fill the iPad screen, but now thinking I should buy the FM Go for iPad, but I have a few questions before I plunk down another $40.

-Can FM Go for iPad sync with my Macbook FM Pro? I've been using the file-sharing app section of iTunes, transferring the file back and forth, but I find this very cumbersome with one master & slave, that changes back and forth. I would like to have a way to sync automatically, just between my Macbook Air and my iPad.

-Is there a "missing manual" for FM Go for iPad that I can download that will tell me how to do that, if it is possible? Or a manual that will help me with how best to design layouts to optimize FM Go for iPad's features? I'm just a casual user, so many times simple instructions like "just set up FM as a host" go over my head.

FileMaker Pro does give you the ability to share a file over the network, so if your iPHone and iPad have internet access, then you can connect to the file hosted on your MacBook Pro and make changes in real-time. In FileMaker Pro, open the file, pull down the File menu and select "Sharing -> FileMaker Network...". Turn on "Network Sharing", and an IP Address will appear. In the lower left half of that screen, click on your file, and on the right side, turn on "All users" for network access. Click OK. At this point, launch FileMaker Go, at the top right next to "Remote Files and Hosts" are two icons. Tap the left icon to show all the Local Network Hosts. Click the one for your Mac, and you'll be able to access the file as a guest and make changes in real-time.

You can transfer the file back and forth through iTunes, but if you have it on the iPhone and iPad and both make changes, how do you know which one should be the master. You would need to write a script to evaluate the changes, but after reading your post, this may be a bit more complex and challenging, so sharing the data (described in the previous paragraph) would be the way to go.

I posted the following a few days ago because I was in your same position. I bet the two programs are similar and this is step by step.

Linking of Database onthe iPad to the Mac Mini in the Home Office

InformationRequired:

External IP Address: Write this down it will beused later.

This can be found by going togoogle.com and typing in the search line…”What is my external IP address”. It will appear at the top of the Googlesearch page.

Internal IP Address: Write this down it MAY beused later.

This can be found by going togoogle.com and typing in the search line…”What is my internal IP address”. It will appear at the top of the Googlesearch page.

Open Port 5003 on the host computer.

Call the ISP (Internet Service Provider) of your homecomputer network and ask them to walk you through how to “port forward5003”. Port 5003 is the port that FileMakeruses. Having this port open in the fire wall is an important component tomaking this work. Yes, there is riskhaving ports open to your fire wall, but no more risk than surfing the internetwhich opens ports with every connection.

How to Make theConnection:

FileMaker Pro should be installed on the Mac Mini and FileMakerGo should be installed on the iPad per the software developer’s directions.

Settings for the Mac Mini:

Perform the following to get the Mac Mini Ready:

Click on the apple in the upper left corner

Click on System Preferences: Under Internet & Wireless Choose"Sharing"

A screen will come up that Shows the Computer Name. In the middle of that screen choose optionsand click all boxes that are applicable.

Same screen Click "Share files and folders using AFP"and Share files and folders using SMB (Windows).

Below that you will see Internal IP addresses. Just confirm at least one is the same as youfound when you Googled.

Same screen on the left side should be "Currently OpenFiles" (you may have to open all the DATABASE files to get a listing).Click on each file listed and make sure the box to the right is set for"All users".

"Complex and challenging" is not something I'm up for. I just use this for my home-based business, and don't understand much of the jargon. Thank you for your help, I did get the remote login issue fixed, and am still working on this one. My problem with setting up my Mac as a host is that I travel with my iPad, so I need access to the database to make changes to the data, then come back home and sync. I was trying to find a way to do this without going through iTunes. It looks like that may be my only option without getting into something way too complex for me. I don't use the db on my iPhone, other than just to view something quickly, but I don't use it to edit data, it's just too tiny.